Pastor’s Reflection for August 30, 2015

Life is not easy. There are so many problems that we face. It could be financial, physical, personal and their causes. When you read the scriptures, we see so many passages of the Lord saying to have no fear. “Fear is useless, what is needed is trust” (Mark 5:36). “There is no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear.” (1 John 4:18). I came across an article that talks about how to deal with fear.

“Fear kicks in when I go to see my oncologist for blood work and other tests,” a cancer survivor admitted, “but I’m not going to let it prevent me from enjoying life.”

While fear is a normal emotion, we can’t allow our lives to be controlled or immobilized by it. When the “what ifs…” raise their ugly heads, we give fear the power to rob us of experiencing joy, love, and other positive emotions. It’s time to face your fears, take away their power, and change your “what if…” thinking to “I can handle this” thinking.

Look fear in the eyes, name it, and ask yourself two questions: “What is the worst case scenario that can happen to me?” and “How will I deal with it?” Brainstorm positive steps you can take to face each of your fears. Write them down so you can see how your fears have become walls holding you back. Grab a sledgehammer and start hammering away, one fear at a time. When you recognize the progress you’re making, your desire to stay at it will increase until each and every fear has vanished. Be realistic, but believe that, with God’s help, you do have the strength and ability to handle everything.

One of the best ways is to be in a strong relationship with Jesus. Nothing happens to us that the Lord doesn’t allow. He may not do it but allows it. If he allows things to happen, He will provide me with what I need to handle every situation. If I put my life in His care, then I can have peace within. It says in Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” May the Lord bless us with His peace in the midst of this turbulent world.

As a reminder, the monthly Healing Mass will be this Wednesday, September 2, starting with the recitation of the rosary at 7:00 p.m.

I will be available for confession this week Monday, August 31, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.